Automatic gate closer



June 4, 1929 L. J. KINNARD AUTOMATIC GATE CLOSER Filed March l5, 1928 INVENTOR A Qa.

1 I1 l. u x 1 T ATTORNEY ior Patented June 4, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

LUTHER J. KINNARID, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T KAESTNER AND HECHT ELEVATOR COMPANY, A. ORPQRATION OF ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC GATE CLOSER.

My invention relates to door-and-gate-closing systems and has particular reference to closures tor elevator doors and gates.

An object ot' my invention is to provide a control system for automatically causing the doors and gates used with elevator systems to be closed at such times as the elevator is in condition-to b'n-oved.

Another object of my invention is to provide a control system tor elevator doors and gates wherein the gates or doors, when opened, Will remain open for a predetermined length of time only.

Another object of my invention is to prof vide a control system for elevator gates wherein, if the gate is opmened at any time when the elevator is not standing adjacent a hatchway door, it will be immediately closed. l

Another-object of my invention is to provide a control system for elevator gates Wherein, when the elevator is adjacent to a hatchwaydoor and the gate is opened Without the door being. opened, the gate will remain open for not longer than a predetermined length f of time.

Another object of my invention is to provide a. control-system for elevator gates Wherein, when the elevator is positioned adjacent to one of the hat'chway doors and the gate 1s opened, it will be held open and the subsequent opening and reclosing of the door will permit the gate to close immediately.

Modern elevator systems require a gate on the elevator car, which gate is usually of the collapsible open-work metal-type arranged for operation by an attendant on the elevator car, or by the passengers on the car. This gate is usually independent of the doors or closures provided for the hatchway at each of the several floors or landings past which the elevator moves.`

The safe operation of elevators requires that both the doors and the gates should be closed atv all times that the elevator car is moving in'the 'hatchWay. Hence, it the usual practice to provide a switch which 1s operated only when the gate 1s 1n completely closed position for permitting current .to be supplied to the ele vator motor and pcrn'uttlng the elevator to move only when the gate is closed.

When the elevators are of the type requiring .an attendant or operator upon the car, 1tis the usual practice for the attendant to manually open the gate and to holddhe same open during such times as the elevator car is positioned adjacent to one of the hatchway doors for the purpose of discharging or receiving passengers. The gates are usually biased by means of a spring which tends to close the tendant.

However, in push-button elevator systems, that is, the type wherein the movements of the elevator car are controlled by the passengers rather than by an attendant, the practice has been to provide no biasing device to close the gate butto depend upon the thoughtfulness of the passengers for insuring that the gate shall be closed when they leave the car, and, hence, that the car is in condition to respondto calls by other persons. This is unsatisfactory since any negligence of the passengers to close the gate renders the system inoperative until some one closes the gate.

To overcomev this condition, a biasing spring may be provided but, if'this done, it

gate upon release thereof by the atis necessary that a person entering or leaving i the car shall hold the gate in its open position against the force of the biasing spring. This operation becomes inconvenient when the passengers have their arms and hands en. cumbered by bundles or other impedimenta.

Hence, it is desirable that 'some means should be provided for temporarily holding the gate in an open position against the biasing torce ot the spring. On the other hand, this temporaryholding of the gate should not be unduly prolonged, that is, prolonged beyond the timey during which the holding is absolutely necessary, and in addition to this, it is desirable thatpsuch holding ofthe gate in an open, position should not be effective at such times as the gate., if opened, renders elevator operation unsafe or causes .a stopping ot the elevator at any place other than ladjacent to one of the hatchway doors.

I propose, therefore, to provide aholding device for temporarily retaining the door in open position only-at such times and under such conditions as stated above.

My system will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein the .sole figure is a diagrammatic vie-W illustrating an elevator gate provided with'a spring closing means and illustrating the manner in which aholding device is controlled in accordance with the position and operative condition of the'elevator car and the hatchway doors.

` illustrated as of a well-known type, `con- -structed of vertical strips 1 and loosely mounted angular cross members 2 so arranged as to permit-the gate to be expanded to completely close the opening between the respecs tive sides 3 and 4 of the elevator car. The gate is suspended from a trackway 5 upon which rollers 6 are suitably mounted for reducino the friction between the gate and the trackway when the gate is. to be moved. A toggle lever 7 ,comprising links 8 and '9, is provided for moving the gate to a closed position. The link 9 is suitably pivotally secured to a stationary support 10 mounted upon the elevator car C. A compression spring 11 is so mounted upon the elevator car, as by means of a bracket 12, as to exert a force tendin to move a rod 13 tothe right. The rod 13 is pivotally connected to the link 9 by a short link member 14. Hence, the force of the spring 11 is exerted against the link 9, tending to straighten the toggle joint 7 and to force the gate to a closed position.

' v An extension 15 of the rod 13 is suitably supported for reciprocating movement within a bracket 16, thus placing the extension 15 in a position to be engaged by a cam member 17, normally biased by gravity to a position engaging the extension 15 but movable to a released position upcn the energization of a releasing electromagnet 18. The bracket 16 is suitably mounted upon the elevator car, preferably adjacent to the bracket 12 `and the spring 11. y I

Since it is desirable that the doors or closures for the hatchway should be in closed position at all times whenthe elevator car is moving, or is in condition to move., suitable doorswitches 19,20 and 21 are associated with the doors D11, Dg and D3, respectively. These 'switches 19, etc., are so arranged in the circuit for a relay 22 that, upon closing of all of the doors, relay 22 is energized. Relay 22, when energized, preferably completes the circuit' supplyingcurrenttotheelevator motor. This relay is 011e which is usually provided in elevator `control systems and it has lnot been deemed lnecessary to illustrate the motor-com.

trol circuits actuated thereby beyond indicating a possible connection of the motor-circuit-controlling devices as set forth hereinafter.

third floors, respectively, which switches may be of any suitable type operable only when the? elevator car lC is adjacent to the associated hatchway door. I have illustrated the switches F1, F2 and F3 as operable by means of a cam FC carried by the` car C, which cam will engage the switches and move the same to open position as the car approaches the associated floor level. It is to be understood, however, that these switches or substitutes therev for may be provided upon a floor selector, such as is usually employed to control the operation of push-button elevators or to control the signal systems usually associated with the elevators.

Switches F1, F2 and F3 are illustrated as being oi. the normally closed type having their contact members in series relation in a circuit which controls theenergization of a relay 24.

To provide the necessary time interval during which the gate is to remain open, I have provided'a relay 25-provided with a dash-pot 2G or other'suitable retarding means which will prevent the contact members of this relay. from Vbeing moved to a closed position for a predetermined length of time after the energization of the relay coil, but will permit the relay contact members to open immediately upon deenergization of the coil. When relay 211 has been actuated, `it is desirable (as will be set forth hereinafter) to maintain the circuit to relay 25 and, for this purpose, I have provided a holding relay 27.

A relay 28, having its operating coil in circuit with a switch 29 operable to position only when the gate G is in its closed' position, is

lprovided to prevent the continuous energization of releasing magnet 18 while the .gate G is closed.

The operation of my system may best be understood by reference to anassumed operation. Assuming that the elevator car is approaching the irst floor preparatory to stoptempt to open the gate G-prior to the time that the cam FC 'engages and operates licorl switch F1, it will be observed that relay 24 will be in closed-circuit position, since all hatchway doorsare closed. The opening of the cargate G opens the circuit for relay 28 at gate switch The energizing circuit v:for releasing magping thereat, and, if persons on the car atnet 18 just described extends from line conductor L1, through conductors 40 and 41, contact members'o relay 28, conductor 42, contact members a of door relay 22 (now in circuitV closing position since all of the doors D1, D2 and D3 are in closed position), conductors 43 and 44, contact members of relay 24, conductor 45,'the coil of releasing maget 18 and conductors 46, to line conductor Thus, it will be observed that, if any attempt is made to open the gate during such time as the elevator car is moving or is standing at any point in the hatchway except adjacent to one of the hatchway doors, with the cam FC engaging and operating one of the ioor switches, the car gate will upon being released immediately be reclosed.

Assuming, however, that the car moves into position adjacent to the door D1, and the loor switch F1 is moved to its open-circuit position, relay 24 will be deenergized and will open its contact members, hence, with relay 24 open, subsequent opening of the car gate G, causing deenergization of relay 28, will not complete a circuit for releasing magnet 18 and, upon movement of the gate to open position, the friction clutch 17 will engage and hold the gate in such position.

Deenergization of relay 28, however, closes a circuit for actuating timed relay 25, which circuit extends from line conductor L1, through conductors 40 and 41, contact members of relay 28, conductor 42, contact members a of door relay'22,conductors 43 and 47, the coil of timed relay 25 and conductor 48, to line'conductor L2. Relay 25 starts moving to closed-circuit position, retarded however, by the influence of dashpot 26 which may be adjusted to give any desirable time element during which the passengers will have an opportunity to open the hatch- Way door.

It has been observed that approximately 10 secondss isl a vsuficient length of time to.

permit a passenger within the carto open the door but it is to be remembered that this time may be varied to suit the conditions pertaining to any particular elevator installation.

Assuming, for example, that'the person opening the car gate discovers that'he does not desire to leave the car at the lirst oor but wishes to travel to some other floor and thus does not open the car door D1, it will be.

observed that, after the lapse of the time determined by the dash-pot 26, a circuit will be completed for releasing magnet 18, which circuit extends from line conductor L1,

through conductors 40 to 43, as .previously traced, and thence, by way of conductor 49, contact members of relay 25, conductors 50, 62 and`45, releasing magnet 18 andponductdr 46, to line conductor L2. Hence, the gate G will be maintained open by the friction clutch 17 only until the expiration of the predetermined time allowed to permit the passenger to open the hatchway door.

On the other hand, it is proposed that the force exerted by the friction clutch 17 Will only be suiiicient to hold the gate against the force of spring 11, hence, the passenger may, if he desires, force thc gate to closed position before the release of clutch 17.

Assuming, on the other hand, that the passenger, desiring to leave the car at the first floor, opens hatchway door D1, it will be observed that the opening of door D1 breaks the circuit or relay 22 at door switch 19. Relay 22, therefore, opens its-contact members a and closes its contact members b. The opening` of contact members a of relay 22 prevents energizatio'n ot' the releasing magnet at the expiration of the predetermined length of time since the circuit for' timed relay 25, as previously traced, extended through the Contact members a of relay 22. A

ie closing of contact members Z) of relay 22 completes a circuit for maintaining relay 27, which circuit extends from line conductor L1, through conductors 40 and 51, contact members b of relay 22, conductor 52, the coil of relay 27 and conductor 53, to line conductor L2. Maintaining relay 27, when energized, closes its contact members a, completing a holding circuit for itself, extending from line conductor L1 through conductors 40, 41, 42 and 54, contact members a of relay 27 to the coil of relay 27, and thence by Way of conductor 53 to line inductor L2.

Relay 27 also closes its contact members 1),'partially completing a circuit for energizing releasing magnet 18, which circuit, however, is open at contact members a of door relay 22.

Assuming now that the passenger leaves the elevator car C, `Without being required to hold the car gate G open, and then recloses the hatchway door D1, relay 22 will be energized upon the closure of d'oor switch 19 by Way of the circuit which extends from line conductor L1 through conductor 57, door` switches 21, 20 and 19 in series relation, respectively, conductor 58, the coil of relay 22 and conductor 59 to line'conductor L2. The energization of relay 22 com letes thecircuit partially closed by relay 2 and supplies ycurrent to releasing magnet'18 by way of a circuit which extends from line conductor L1, through conductors 40, 41 and 42, contact members a of relay 22, conductors 43 and 60, Contact members l) of relay 27 conductors 61,62 and 45 to releasing magnet 18 and conductor 46, to line conductor L2. Releasing magnet 18, therefore, moves the clutch member 17 from engagement with rod 15 and the gate will be closed by spring 11.

It will be observed that, if a greater length the gate G will be immediately closed. Hence,

there is no loss 'of time between the exit of the "passenger and the conditioning of the elevator car to proceed in answer to any other calls which may be'awaiting elevator service.

While it has not been deemed necessary to show the complete circuits controlled by the gate relay 28 and the door relay 22 for preventing operation .of the elevatorcar C, it will be obvious to persons skilled inthe elevator art that the motor-controlcircuits may be suitably controlled by these relays to prevent operation of the elevator car at any time when either the gate G or the doors D1, D2 and Da are in open position. I have diagram matically illustrated such connection by the arrow-head indicating the point of connection of the coil of a suitable line switch, such as is usually provided in elevator-motor-control'systems. n

It will be observed, therefore, that I have provided a control systemior insuring the closure of the gates and doors at all times when it is desired that the elevatorcar should be caused to move and that I have provided a system for insuring closure of the car gate regardless of the neglect or carelessness of persons using thecar, to make sure that the car gate is completely closed when they leave the car. In addition to this, it will be observed that I- have provided a system by means of which, whenever the car is so positioned as to permit entrance and exit of passengers, the car gatewill be maintained in an open position without the necessity of the gate being forcibly held in this position by the passengers desiring to board or leave the car. Y

While the disclosed embodiment oi my invention appears to be in thepreierred form,

it is to be understood that the description is illustrative only, and I do v'not desire to be limited to any of the .details shown and described 'herein' except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention 1. In an elevator system, an elevator operable past a plurality of iioors, a closure for said elevator, means biasing said closure to. closed position, means operable when said closure is opened for maintaining said closure open against the effect oi said bias, and means operably responsive to the position oi said elevator orrendering said maintaining means effective only when said elevator is adjacent to any one of said oors.

2. In an elevator system, an elevator operable past a plurality oi doors, a closure for said elevator,`means biasing said closure to closed positron, means operable when said closure 1s opened for maintaining sald closure open against the e'ect oi' said bias, and means l of a predetermined time after lsaid elevator.

closure is opened, and lmeans o erable by opening of thehatchway closure or rendering said last named means ineffective.

4. In an elevator. system, an elevator operable in a hatchway past a plurality of floors, a closure for said hatchway ateach of said oors, a closure for said elevator, means biasing said 'elevator closure to closed position, means operable by opening said elevator closure for maintaining said closure in open soA position, and means for rendering said mainv taining means ineiective after the lapse of a predetermined time after said elevator'closure is opened, and means operable by opening of the hatchway closure for rendering said last named means ineffective and operable by the reclosing of said hatchway clo'v sure for releasing said maintainingmeans.

5. In anelevator system, an elevator operable in a hatchway past a floor,a closure for said hatchway, a closure for said elevator,

vmeans biasing' said elevator closure to closed position, means operable when said elevator closure is in open position for maintaining said closure in said position and means operable by opening and closing the hatchway closure for releasing said maintaining means.

6. In an elevator system, an elevator operable past a plurality of floors, agate therefor, and means. for insuring closure of said gate comprising means biasing said gate to closed position, releasable 'means for holding said gate in open position, when so moved, and

timed means, initiated by opening said gate, for releasing said holding means at a predetermined time thereafter;

. In an elevator system, an elevator opy erable past a plurality oi ioors, a gate therefor, and means for insuringY closure of said gate comprising means'biasing-said gate to closed position, releasable means for holding said gate inopen position when so moved, and timed means, initiated .by opening of said gate, for releasing said holding means at a predetermined time thereafter vand means operaoiy responsive to the position CJi ' said gate in open position when so moved,

means for releasing said holding means, and means operable by.movement of any of said hatchway closures for preventing actuation of said releasing means while said closure is open. v v

9. In an elevator system, an elevator operable in a hatchway past a plurality of floors, a gate for said car,a closure for said hatchway at each of said floors, means biasing said gate to closed position, means for holding saidy gate in open position when so moved, timed means for releasing said holding means at a predetermined time thereafter, and means operable by movement of any of said liatchway closures for preventing actuation of said releasing means while said closure is open. Y

l0. In an elevator system, an elevator operable in a hatch'way. past a plurality of fioors, a gate for said car, a closure for said hatchway at each of said floors, means biasing said gate to closed position,means for holding said gate in open position, when so moved, timed means for releasing said holding means at a predetermined time thereafter, and means, operable by movement of any of said hatchwa closures, for preventing actuation of sai releasing means while said closure is open, and means for rendering said holding means effective only when said elevator is adjacentone of Said floors.

11. In an elevatorsystem, an elevator ear, a closure for said car, means biasing said closure to closed \positin, and means for holding said closure in open position, when so moved, of suthcient power to prevent closing of said closure by said biasing means unless assisted by extraneous application of force. t

12# In an elevator system, an elevator car,

a closure for said car, means biasing said closure to closed pos1t1on, and friction means for holding said closure in open position,

when so moved, of suficient power to prevent closing of said closure by said biasing means unless assisted 'by extraneous application of force. i

13. In an elevator system, an elevator car,

.a closure' for said car, means biasing said closure to closed position, friction means for holding said closure in open position, when so moved,'of sufficient power to prevent closing ofsaid closure by said biasing means unless assisted by extraneous application of force and means for releasing said friction means.

14.-. In an elevator system, an elevator car, operable in a hatchway past a plurality of floors, a closure for said ear, a closure for said hatchway at each of said iioois, means normally' biasing said car closure to closed position, means for holding said car closure in open positionvwhen so moved, releasing' 'means for said holding means, a switch actuated by opening of said car closure foi' actu ating said releasin means, a switch operably responsive to tie movement of said car in said hatchway for preventing actuation of said releasing means by said car-closureactuated switch only when said car is adjacent to one of said hatchway closures, timed switch means initiated by said car-closureswitch means for actuating said releasing means at apredetermined time thereafter, switch means operated by movement of any of said hatchway closures from closed position, for rendering said timed switch ineffective, and a maintaining switch actuated by the liatchway-closure switch for transferring the control of said releasing means from said car-c-losure-actuated switch and said timedswitch to said hatchway-closure switch, whereby reclosing of said hatchway closure actuates said releasing means.

In testimony whereof, Ivhave hereunto subscribed my name this eighth 'day of Mar., i928.

LUTHER J. KINNARD. 

